Radical Simplicity
With a splash of hopefulness
Radical simplicity in times of chaos.
I've had a little notebook, flipped open to the page with those six words on it, sitting on top of my laptop for nearly two weeks now — ever since I got back from the conference where I acquired both the notebook and the words jotted in it.
The words came from Dr. Vijay Pendakur in a talk about the importance of creating workplace and team cultures focused on relationships and belonging in a time of endless disruption. I found myself drawn to his words because they seem to offer a strategy for navigating this world we find ourselves in where, day-to-day, hour-to-hour, it's unclear what jobs will still exist. What fundamental values will be ignored. Whose rights will be threatened.
Amidst the chaos, I read those words and think, "YES, PLEASE." Please just let something, anything, just one little thing be simple. Easy.
But, as I recall, that's not exactly what Pendakur was talking about. It wasn't about just making things easy (pretty sure no one has a magic phrase for that). The real meaning here is in that adjective: radical. Not just simplicity, but radical simplicity. Simplicity that seeks to change the fundamental nature of something.
My brief notes under those six words are about connecting to purpose, offering recognition to others, and viewing failure as generative. Basic concepts (simple concepts, if you will), but concepts that Pendakur presents as key to fostering relationships in the workplace. And radical concepts in workplace cultures that have been results-driven, not relationship-driven.
But also concepts that might just be what we need outside the workplace as well. Can we channel the hurt, and anger, and sadness we feel into a clear reminder of our beliefs and values and purpose and use that to fuel our next steps? Who can we recognize: with words of gratitude, or gifts of time, or money, or things? And when we mess up, how might we mirror the humility we wish there was more of in the world by acknowledging it and learning from it?
None of this is easy. But it is simple. And I choose to hope it could also be radical.
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The Afterglow
Do you ever question your desire to create the things you say you want to create? Or do the things you say you want to do? Maybe you're working on building an engaged following and body of work with your writing here on Substack (or elsewhere). Perhaps you're working to build a business around your design work. Or you keep jotting down ideas for that wo…
Squirrel of the Week
Sharing these spectacular phlox this week, instead of a squirrel. I remember being fascinated by the word “phlox” as a kid— ph as an f sound AND and x. I mean, come on, how cool is that.
How are you? Thoughts on this idea of radical simplicity? Do you also love the word “phlox” (or have some other favorite word)? I’d love to hear about any and all of it!